Wire clothespin



July 4, 1950 s. TARALLO 2,513,759

WIRE CLOTHESPIN Filed Jan. 31, 1947 WWMMMW W Patented July 4, 1950 UNITED/STATES PATENTv OFFICE I I 2,513,759 Q J WIRETCLOTHESPIN Sebastian Tarallo, Middletown, Conn. Application January 31, 1947, Serial 725,651

This invention relatesto a new .and improved clothespin of which the following is a specification.

The primary object of this invention resides in the provision of a clothespin which is adapted to be freely slidably positioned upon a clothesline to enable it to be brought to a position desired where it is then adapted to be removablysecured to the line in said position thus allowing the selective positionin of a plurality of pins'rel'ative to one another to adapt them to the size and shape of clothing to be hung.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a clothespin constructed with a quickly and easily operated reliable clamping means at the lower depending end thereof allowing the selectively clamping and release of clothing and like articles from a depending position relative thereto.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a clothespin of the character described which is of an extremely simple, durable and inexpensive design and construction making it readily available to the general public at a conservative cost.

Still further improvements and advantages of this invention will readily appear to those skilled in the art when the following description is read in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the clothespin.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the pin as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial front view of the pin secured to a clothesline.

Fig. 4 is a partial side elevation of the clamping means in an open position.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of this invention and in which like numerals indicate similar parts throughout A designates the main body of the clothespin composed of a pair of identical wire members I and 2 of resilient material formed into an overlying substantially figure 8 body with the two free ends at one end thereof enlarged into a pair of abutting clamping pieces 3 and 4 while the upper free ends thereof are braided in three or more twisted braids 5 and then formed into a substantially closed loop. The loop 6 is formed by the upper free ends of the wires I and 2 being laterally oppositely directed, as at I2 and I3, then upwardly directed, as at I4 and I 5, in laterally offset relation to the braids 5, and then oppositely inwardly directed, as at It and IT, in vertically overlapped relation. The

2 Claims. (Cl. 24-84) inner or lower free end is'formed with an inwardly or downwardly-directed'hook I8, while the upper or outer free end is formed with an outwardly or upwardly-directed flared portion IS. A restricted passage I is formed between the inwardly-directed portions I6 and H, with the flared end I9 serving as a guide toiacilitate the insertion of a clothesline B therein, Figure 3. The hook I8, on the contrary, provides means for maintaining the line B in the loop 6, Figure l agains t accidental lo'dgment in passage I, although the back of the hook l8 provides a flared entrance'20 for the passage when the entrance of clothesline B therein is desired.

The outer surface of the'lower leg 22 of wire I, in the curve of the lower half of the figure 8, is provided with a plurality of spaced notches 9 therealong, and a U-shaped bar II], the free ends of which are pivotally secured to one leg 23 of the wire 2 at a point laterally opposite to the notches 9 by any suitable pivot, as the pintle II carried by the leg 23. The arrangement is such that the bight 2| of the bar I0 extends around the wire I to engage selectively and resiliently the notches 9 and maintain the clamping pieces 3 and 4 against separation.

With the curvature of the legs 22 and '23 of wires I' and 2 being outward as they progress downwardly, the engagement of the bar II! with the lower notches will tend to clamp the pieces 4 and 5 in adjacent abutment adapting them to retain articles of clothing or the like therebetween, while an upward swinging movement of the bar to a point above the notches 9 will allow the resilience of the overlapped wires to spread the pieces 3 and 4 apart releasing the articles from therebetween.

A clothesline B is allowed to be forcibly inserted into passage I between the free ends I6 and ll of the loop 6 against their abutting resilience to a free position within the loop 6 allowing the pin to be suspended therefrom and selectively ositioned therealong.

When it is desirable to securely position the pin at a desired point on the line, the line may be quickly and easily moved to a position in passage I. between the free ends I6 and I! of the wires, as illustrated in Fig. 3, where the resilience of the ends clamps the line securely therebetween preventing the pin from being blown from or along the line by a high wind and possibly releasing or bunching wet clothes or the like secured thereto.

Thus it may be readily seen that a new and useful clothespin has been provided which is of prising opposed transversely spaced sides made of resilient material and formed at their top ends to provide laterally inwardly extending elon gated transverse extensions arranged in closely spaced overlapping relation, the extensions pro jecting transversely of the clothespinin Oppo ite directions and having free ends terminating adjacent to the opposite sides of the loop, the ex-J tensions forming a narrow elongated transverse passage at the top of the loop and extending substantially for the full width of the-loop between the sides of the loop, the passage serving to permit the introduction of the clothesline-into the loop, the elongated extensions yielding to permit. the passage of the clothesline throughthe. narrow passage, and, means secured to the loop below the clothesline for engaging clothes to con.- nect them with the clothesline.

2.,A clothespin, comprising a large substantially closed loop for receiving the clothesline therein to support the clothespin, said loop comprising opposed transversely spaced sides made of resilient material and bent attheir, tops to form laterally inwardly extending elongated curved transverse extensions arranged in closely laterally spaced superposed relation at the top of the clothespin, said elongated extensions projecting transversely of the clothespin in opposite directions and having free ends terminating adjacent to the opposite sides of the loop, the extensions forming a narrow elongated curved transverse passage at the top of the loop and extending substantially for the entire width of the loop between the sides of the loop, the passage serving to permit the'i'ritroduction off the clothesline into the'loo'p "and'th-e removal of the clothesline therefrom, and resilient clamp means secured to the loop below the clothesline for engaging clothesto clamp the same in suspended relation with respect to the clothesline.

f SEBASTIAN TARALLO.

REFERENCES CITED -The 'following references are of record in the file of this patent:

S ATES PATENTS fj v Date 

